Top 3 things you realize transitioning from mentee to mentor

Life is full of different directions and as things come at you, you must adapt, do the same thing or stop doing things. I am the type of person that adapts to many different situations, professionally, personally, I just do. There are many times I get frustrated, lose my cool, slam the punching bag a bit but I always take time to self reflect. I think in life it is good to have people you respect help guide you in certain ways.

Enter Cody Bunch into my life about 5 years ago, never would I have thought where this friendship would have taken me. Let me tell you this, it has been on one awesome ride! Cody is one of my mentors, a close confidant that I can go to with work, home or just crazy ideas. Zero judgement, but what I get is a mutual respect, a respect that was earned in truth and being a great listener. Truth be told I have many mentors in life; Jonathan Frappier, Matthew Brender, Sean Thulin, John McArthur, Stu Miniman, Jonas Rosland, Chris Harney, Nick Weaver, Scott Lowe, Stephen Spellicy, Damain Karlson, Jeramiah Dooley, Stephen Aldous, James Penta, my best bud in the whole world Daniel Cardosa, I can go on and on. There are so many great qualities that these gentleman bring out in me. Knowing I can go to these guys with just about any question and not be laughed at, but understood and listened to. The conversations had with many in my life today is crazy, but motivating.

This past year Cody has been my official mentor in his #vSensai program, this program has altered my thinking and philosophy to certain situations! But at some point I have become a mentor to a couple of people. It didn’t hit me until i was talking to Cody tonight about how truly awesome it is to have someone respect you enough to ask for your guidance.

So Kendrick Coleman, I am taking a tip from you and doing a Top x number post 😉

Tip One – Stop doubting yourself

As a Mentee, we have constant doubt. Stop it! Have confidence that you know what you are talking about. If others are coming to you for advice it is because they see something in you. Know it’s there and be awesome with it.

Tip Two – Listen

The best tip is to actually stop and listen to those asking you questions. That moment I realized I knew what i was talking about and doing things right helped me with my first tip! I currently have two mentees that look to me for guidance, I listen and sometimes they answer their own questions just from asking me. Being a person someone can vent or brainstorm to is sometimes more powerful then giving advice.

Tip Three – Guide them don’t dictate or order them around

This is probably the biggest tip, as a mentee we are looking for direction, an outlet, free expression. As a mentor you have to know how to use your experience to get a mentee to understand the answer they are seeking.

Power of persuasion and understanding people is key, if you come at someone hard you are seen as a controlling, yes even if they came to you. So combining listening and sharing your experience in similar situations can go along way.

Nerd’s Blurt

I have mentors for different things, but one thing is certain they will be always in my life. Helping me with construction, making videos, or just brain storming crazy program ideas. I can only hope that my time as a mentee will help me be a better mentor.